When I set down the plate of Pizza Monkey Bread this weekend for my husband and kids to try, they all stared at it before diving in. Soon, they were murmuring with glee in between big mouthfuls, remarking on how tasty it was. That's what Mama likes to hear!

I left shortly after to run to the store. When I returned, I was shocked … more than half of the loaf of monkey bread had disappeared! I think it's fair to say that they adored this version.

There are so many wonderful ways to transform the pull apart treat known as Monkey Bread into something new and special. For instance, Savory Parmesan Garlic Monkey Bread is perfect for serving with dinner in lieu of rolls. Meanwhile, my Sweet Whole Wheat Monkey Bread makes a delicious and decadent dessert that's simple to whip up.

Ingredients

• cooking oil spray
• flour (for dusting)
• 2 balls of pizza dough (from your grocer's deli or bakery area), chilled

• 16 ounces pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make sure that the racks of the oven are set so that the pan will sit in the middle of the oven

2.
Spray a bundt pan with cooking oil spray and set aside
3.
Sprinkle a cutting board with flour. Working with one ball of dough at a time, roll each out on the floured surface to about ½ inch thickness

4.
Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into 1"x1" squares

5.
Pour the pizza sauce into a small bowl
6.
Dip each square of dough into the pizza sauce and then arrange the dough pieces in the prepared bundt pan to create one layer

7.
Sprinkle the layer of dough evenly with only ½ of the mozzarella cheese

8.
Repeat steps 6 and 7, creating another dough/cheese layer
9.
Using the remaining dough, repeat step 6 again, creating a top layer of just saucy dough
10.
Slide the pan into the preheated oven and cook for 50-60 minutes, until the dough has risen and developed a crust at top

11.
Allow the Pizza Monkey Bread to cool for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan. Gently loosen the dough from the sides of a pan using a rubber spatula, and then invert onto a serving plate. Allow to cool a little more before serving (it will be hot)

Tips

Want more cheese? Mix the mozzarella with ½ cup grated parmesan and then use as directed above.

This can get a little messy for little hands, so be sure to have plates and napkins ready before serving.